lol this is SO where i am at right this moment. it’s good to know that i’ve been using some of these strategies most days without knowing them though! if this is international i’d love a chance to read this! if not, thanks for the awesome tips! 🙂
Great advice! Please send the book to Brazil. I will gladly appreciate it! Thank you 🙂
This post is probably some of the best advice I have had in a long time. I am at a point right now where things have changed, and I am trying to get everything on a schedule. The whole point of the change was to make time for me to write, but my everyday life has still revolved around my family. I have yet to write a single thing.
Im at the stage too Ashley where i’m trying to get everything in a schedule…..so far its taken all of this year…but i’m going to keep cracking at it.
My daughter will be driving next year so bring on all the fun stuff for me….eg the gym before going home for the day. Her schedule happened to coincide with mine this year (which is great) but doesn’t allow the me time for me to do what i need to before i had to pick her up from school:)
Good luck with your writing.
Ive decided to get up half an hour earlier each day and do things that i cant do in the day….eg sewing, quilting or a walk with my puppies, paperwork or bill paying for my business, i also write menu plans for people so these get done in the 45 mins or so before my son gets up. After 7am the house gets my attention:)
I hope you can find the time to write. Another thing Shannah said was treat yourself like a business – so I guess you could think of your writing as that. Something that has to get done. It’s sounds easier than it is… but I hope you can find the time. I know how hard it is. Mine is done at 5am or 10pm most of the time.
You have no idea how timely this post is for me! We’ve had weeks of ill-health in our family and feeling like I’m completely out of control. I’m off to read more about Shannah and then start my work day by eating the frog first! 🙂
I hope you’re all feeling better. x
Interesting read 🙂 Yes, I am a bit like you ! If at first you don’t succeed… then throw in the towel :/ I do like the idea of making myself #1 but curious to how that works when you are a carer. Sometimes these life coach things sound great in theory, but living in our day to day lives are not always possible to achieve. That’s my take on it anyway 🙂
Here’s my thoughts: If you don’t take care of you, then what good are you to the person you’re caring for? So it doesn’t mean putting yourself first and neglecting everybody else, it just means ticking some things off in your box – Are you making time for the things you love? Are you eating well? Getting enough sleep? Exercising? Getting a golden moment?
That’s what I think anyway. A lot of the time I just put everyone else first and forget about what I want – and that just makes me grumpy and not very nice to be around. If I make time to go for a walk, have a pedicure and go to bed earlier – then I’m much nicer!
I hope that makes sense. x
Oh absolutely it makes sense 🙂 Definately I eat and sleep well… exercise when the weather is fine… the golden moment hmmm, I’m working on that one 🙂
good luck Narelle:)
Good luck. I take my hat off to you, to do such a wonderful job – is… wonderful. xx
What a fabulous list! The golden moment brought a tear to my eye.
I got teary when Shannah was telling me. Same.
It must be a sign Chantelle. I have just read two articles this morning – both about eating the frog first … coincidence or the universe telling me what I should be doing?
I just saw your tweet and was like, “What?!” Looks like we’ll be having a serve of frogs for breakfast. How’s that timing?
I SO use my cell phone to remind me of things! 🙂 ‘Take that prescription’, ‘Make that phone call’, ‘Flea treatment for dogs!’. I couldn’t manage without it.
I get anxious about the alarms. I don’t know why. Always wake before my alarm so I don’t have to hear it. But little no-sound reminders could work.
I can 100% relate to lack of balance! With being a mum, studying fulltime and working, balance is essential but unfortunately it seems I was born without organisational skills.. There is no balance just chaos..
This post has been swirling around my head for weeks now — thank you for putting it into words!! And I have that golden moment, I guess I just never really thought about it as being present and in the moment. I just do it! xoxo
Care to share what you do in your Golden Moment?
I sweep the hair back from my non-cuddly, going-through-an-independent-phase, strong-willed feisty 8-year old daughter’s face and kiss her still baby-soft cheeks and whisper “I love you more than anything and anyone in the whole entire world”
I’m a single mom, and sometimes this is as much to remind me, if we’ve had a particularly trying evening, as well as give her the “subliminal message”.
I love this. A lot. x
Really neat article..never hurts to be reminded of the things you know but don’t ‘know’! As for eating frogs…I’m a vegetarian so i’m going to stick with cleaning the bathroom first!LOL
Ha!
This is exactly what I needed to read! And I definitely need to eat the frog first, rather than try and face it at 6pm after work!!! Thankyou
I am thrilled that I have learned some of those things all by myself, not all of them, okay one, the “don’t give up, reset” one. I will be looking for that golden moment but your Photo a Day challenge has slowed me down and made me look in my near vicinity for something to snap so I feel like I’m at least halfway there. Can I have my frog breaded and fried?
I agree completely! Thank you so much for the Photo a Day Challenge, it has truly changed my daily routine for the better!
All these things make a huge difference to daily life, and I would love to read the whole book. Pick Me! Eating the frog first is the most liberating thing you can do. It takes a weight off the shoulders which stays off all day! Great post.
Great read! I make a list and do all the things that are easy or nice on it and the hard things get transferred to the next days list….and repeat haha
Wow! So simple! I have already started on a couple of those tips over the past year or so and have found them to be very helpful. The first tip however… I’m definitely going to give that a crack! I’m very good at putting off making phone calls and doing boring household chores. And the tip about reminding herself about what sort of mum she wants to be- BRILLIANT! I really need to do that 🙂
This is wonderful! I can definitely relate to “don’t give up, reset”. I recently wrote about showing Failure who’s boss, and I find it has helped dramatically with my mind set. I LOVE the idea of using my phone to administer reminders and affirmations to help cheer me through my day! BRILLIANT! (www.peptalkpolly.com)
I love this advice and will get this book for my girl who is starting out in the big real world trying to juggle uni and work.Thank you so much as this will be of great help to her.x
I love that: “Eat the frog first”. This is exactly what I need to do. I’m like you and always leave that dreaded task to the last. Today I’m going to get my invoicing done as soon as possible, because it is necessary, but something I hate doing every month. I’m also going to set some reminders in my phone about things I want to remember, like drink water etc. This post was very helpful, Chantelle!
This is wonderful! Just what I needed to read. Thank you so much 🙂
Thankfully it’s not a literal frog, because I have a phobia!
No. 7 resonates with me – each day is a new page in your book.
Tasha
Brilliant post. I could practically hear the light bulb ping on above my head reading this, “eat the frog first”. Fantastic!
I totally know what you mean! Love your post! I could really use some more structure in my life, get everything in order and help me organize the stuff that only creates more confusion and a messy mind!! So i would Love a chance to win that book!!
Oh my. I am so learning the Balance thing this year! I have claimed it as MY word:)
So much so that i am thinking of having it as a tattoo.
I nearly could have written this before post Chantelle. I wrote one on my blog the other day about needing to set goals and try to fit *it* all in.
Ive changed to part time work due to depression and anxiety and am slowly working in the exercise (which is important to me) family commitments, home and we run a fruit property of 17 acres so there is always picking fruit, pruning trees, bookwork, bill paying ect happening there:) My family seems to think because i work less and *am home* that i should be able to do it all “because im home more”
Thankyou so much and how lucky for you to chat to a life coach…i think that is what i need, someone impartial to help me see things a little clearer and to focus a little better.
FMS, I have been following your blog and PHOTOADAY for months, but have NEVER left a comment, for reasons I’m not entirely sure about! BUT… Reading this today, I am inspired.. I am a defence wife with 2 young children & I would love to get to the end of the day & feel achievement and pride from having a good day, instead of just thinking “aarrrggghhh”.. I have taken a screen shot of this list and will be starting today!! So thank you for being such a positive little addition to my life! X
I think I need this book. There is definitely a frog to be eaten every day at work for me and it never tastes good when there is only half an hour to go at the end of the day!
I have been on vacation nearly 3 weeks, without my husband for the first time, and spending time with my son, his wife, and 4 children. It has been very nice being pampered and experiencing new things, new situations, making my decisions without my husband’s input. I have taken many deep breaths to get through some of these unfamiliar situations, like flying alone. I go home tomorrow.
All you have said above, has hit home with me. And for the first time in a long time, I realize, I am putting myself first. Doing what I want to do, like buying the purse and hat I loved. Making moments golden by connecting personally with each member of the family here in a personal way: responding to a teasing from the 8 year old who was so hard to connect with; watching a video with the 12 year old, while he explained,even though I still have no idea what “MINECRAFT” is; being touched by a nearly 14 year old, as she tells me about her love for ice skating and unicorns; feeling the confusion of a 19 year old who has no idea what he wants to do with his life; and experiencing the love of two parents for their children and each other as they parent, discipline, and nurture their children and pamper Grandma. And when I go home, the frog will still be there, waiting to be eaten. Because sometimes, there are things more important than the frog.
beautiful…….xxxx and so bittersweetxx
OH I need some structure, I am seriously all over the place, I don’t even eat at the right time, must do something about that! I too love the Eat the Frog first idea…as long as it isn’t the chocolate variety for breakfast, lol. I am off to have a look at the link, kiss noises Linda
I’ve been on a myself mission this year, this would be something great to add to my journey.
Wow, you blog just hit it right on the nail! I must get this book and maybe a life coach. Having anxiety attacks lately because I’m in California and my son will be leaving to New York for college in 3 days, so eating the frog or trying to even think that I am number 1 was just what I needed to hear! Thanks!! <3
So I started off well, yup, I tend to do number 1. But then I came unstuck at number 2. So the answer to your question “Do you have balance in your life?”, would have to be no. Somewhere after having my second child I have forgotten all about me. Or maybe it happened after my first?
Dont forget to breathe is the biggest one for me. So often at the end of the day I can feel the tenseness in my muscles – taking the time for some proper deep cleaning breaths will do me the world of good
These are gold! I totally need this book. I’m a mum of one plus one on the way, finishing my phd, working fulltime, house to run and chaos ruling every where
This post is going straight to the pool room… Or at least to the fridge, so I can follow it daily! Thanks for another perfectly timed post 🙂
This is awesome!!! Just what I needed to read right now!!! I am going to incorporate each of these things into my day! Love it!!
I’m the worst at thinking of myself. I never have “me” time… I love the advice of “eating the frog first”. hilarious way to think about it and so true!
Balance is elusive for most mothers unfortunately 🙁 I like the idea of using the phone to reset frame of mind
I love this post! Hit the nail on the head! So many things i need to do for myself as a mom and a teacher… Thank you for the reminder. I will definitely be sharing this with my children!
As a full time wporking mother of 3 boys I sometimes feel like I am losing the plot. I would love to see what I could gain from this book to help keep me on track!
Wow isn’t it funny how something like this post pops up right when you need it! Thank you for sharing your experience (lucky you) and this easy to follow (so easy it seems like I should already know & be doing it) and vital information. Am off to eat my frog, set some alarms and then enjoy some golden moments 🙂 thanks again
I love this one! Eat the frog, just have to put it into practise now 🙂
This is fabulous! Thanks so much for the great read, I love Shannah’s golden moment! Brilliant!
2 & 7 are definitely one’s I need to work on. As far as priorities go, I’m wayyyyy down the list, and when I make a mistake, I know I am wayyy too hard on myself, lose hope, and throw things out the window. I know that you need to love yourself and be kind to yourself so you can love others, but it’s funny how intellectually we know something but trying to put that into action is the difficult part… Great post! Will start setting alarms to remind me to drink water and reset my thinking! Love it! xx http://happymummyinspired.blogspot.com.au
Thanks for a great post just when I need it. I will be putting point 1 in place right now. Eat the frog first, I tend to leave the crap jobs til last and do the same as you, stew over them all day.
I would love to have a copy of her book, it sounds like she has some really practical ways of surviving. I am attempting to balance full-time PhD study with part-time university teaching, instrumental music teaching, volunteer work and trying to be the best wife I can be to my newly wedded love. I need all the help I can get at the moment! Eat the frog first is an excellent idea! Thanks! lisa xx
Loved the simple phone reminders… ‘you don’t need that muffin’ I should set things like that for me 🙂
I am reading your post now rather than eating the frog ie putting together a job application. Great advice! Now back to the essential criteria! Thx
You forget that these simple (yet difficult to do) things make such a big difference! sometimes it’s all about stepping back and putting it into perspective.. thank you, I’m going to send your post to my husband!
What great advice! I love the setting an alarm asking “What kind of mum do I want to be?”. I really need to do this before I pick up my kids. Time to eat the frog and finish some work :/
Slowly trying to apply all of these to my life… Working on number 3 ! Thanks 🙂
I am new to your blog. And I am very glad I stumbled upon it! I think my favorite piece of advice is also Eating the Frog First. I will often save that one (sometimes two) thing that I really don’t want to do, but it has to get done until last. And then I am too “tired” to get it done and gets pushed off to the next day. I would be so much more productive if I accepted this one litte piece of advice. Thanks for sharing!
Eat the frog first. Excellent advice!!
I have been putting #3 into practise lately and it really does put everything into perspective.
The best timed advice I’ve ever read I think. Thank you!!
Thank you thank you thank you! I really needed to read this post TODAY! I feel as if I am drowning in my life at the moment, everything is completely out of whack. Need to do all those 7 steps and then some :o)
Thanks for sharing, I needed it!
This is great advice. I love reading your blog. Your fan from Japan 🙂
Great advice! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Gosh I would love a session with a life coach – really need to refocus! This book might be the first step!
I could definitely use a life coach! :}
I’ve been ‘eating the frog first’ for a while – every morning I make a list of “Must do’s” and “Nice to haves”. I make sure I kill off the Must Do’s before I tackle the Nice to Haves.
I’ve been lusting after a personalised planner for a few weeks now, maybe this is the incentive I need to jump in and buy it!
Being present with our children is such potent advice. As a single working mother I often find it hard just to find the time to be present. I think time management is definitely an area I need to work on! Life is much simpler when we can find some mental clarity. I’m sure a whole lot more enjoyable too! Great tips, thanks for posting 🙂
This is great advice (& very timely!) – thanks for sharing Chantelle.
Great post!! It’s 9am and i’m still at home in my pjs & robe… I’m gonna rush to the studio and eat all the frogs I can find!! Thank you <3
I too have seen Shannah & totally recommend her!!!!
What fabulous feedback to all. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and it is exactly why I wrote the book. businesses need structure to thrive and so do we. We, if we want to be rich in life, need to be aware of how important being in the moment is, how important it is that we can eat the frog and feel achievement both big and small. The book is all about how to structure yourself to live optimally, no matter who you are. I have 2 little children, a marriage, keep fit, run the business and dont feel stressed….it can be done!! The book is available on line and is your workbook for life. Thank you to Fat Mum Slim and all her followers…SHANNAH KENNEDY
I love this post, I too have no balance in my life, most of the time I go to bed feeling so unsatisfied with myself, as I didn’t achieve what I wanted to do! By following your rules I think I may go to bed feeling a lot happier about my day. It is so hard sometimes being a stay at home mum to two little ones. This is going to help immensely!! Thank you Chantelle xx
What a fab post Chantelle! I am on a constant run ‘chasing my tail’, and it was my New Year’s Resolution to change all that – which I failed miserably in early January! Shannah’s book looks great!
Great message here. It is one I try to live by. My “Eat the Frog First” translates to “Do the worst first” be it cleaning or exercising. Me time is important. It took me a long time to accept this as not being selfish. Who wants a mum, wife, partner, colleague or friend who is continually tired and down in the dumps!
Thank you so much for posting this. I will be passing this link onto a few friends.
Terri x
Breathe…..and get my life in order. Yes please!
sounds like a awesome book..I have just sent my 4th child off to school and am suddenly home alone after 12 years – I would love some tips pls x
Thank you for sharing this timely advice – as today my 4 sons have started back in their new school year and now it is time for me to work on ME! I have some goals I want to reach but I am procrastinating in a little fear and caution. I need to jump into the work involved to accomplish these goals and every little bit helps – so thanks!
This sounds fantastic! thanks for sharing those few tips. Very interesting & worth pondering for a while.
Sounds like an amazing book! I am preparing myself to return to work full time next year when my youngest starts school. I would love some advice on how to manage what wil become an extremely busy life!
I just learned “eat the frog first” today, and here it is again! Perhaps it is a message just for me? 🙂 I love the idea of setting an alarm with “What type of mum do I want to be?” just before collecting the kids, what a great reminder! I have reorganised my life to allow balance. It means that I’m not rising on the career ladder quite as quickly as I was before, but I’m so much happier, and so are my kids. I am a big believer in looking after yourself first. This doesn’t mean my kids or hubby miss out, it just means that I plan to rejuvenate myself so that I can give them more.
Should I admit that I clicked through from Twitter after reading ‘And I just ate my frog’ hoping to read all about actually eating freddo frogs? Well it is true, that is why I dropped by but I am glad I did. I need to eat more frogs (that aren’t all chocolatey goodness) and actually get things done. Of course I say this as I skim twitter and read blogs, actively avoiding my current frog – a paper due for uni on Friday. Oh well, off to try and eat some frog of my own.
Sounds like I need to read this book and coincide it with another book called ‘S.U.M.O (Shut Up Move On) – Brilliant book, very helpful & useful – Both together could be what I need… Eat the frog first – My new Motto I think 🙂 Thanks!!
With baby number 2 on the way, I think this ok will be a god send to help me unstruggle with the juggle!
Love this post! So inpirational and puts things into perspective really. I love #6. I read this post earlier on today and have thought about the comment all day – “gives her kids the mum that she wants to be.” It’s really stuck with me and I love it, am going to put it into action for my children and I. Thanks so much for sharing.
Eat the frog, breathe, sometimes sometimes is good enough … Sounds so simple
Exactly. Sounds simple, but takes real effort to put into practice st the start of the day! Here’s to planning!
Finally I can comment! (Discus wasn’t playing nice today!) I love this post. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately and been trying to look for inspiration or positivity in everything this week. In fact your post ties up nicely with my post today so I’ve mentioned you at http://sexymomgp.blogspot.com/2012/09/5-bright-fmsphotoaday-and-some-rambling.html and my frog – its cleaning!
This post came at the exact right time! Thanks for sharing, I feel so much better now.
This book sounds like just what I need. I’m a stay-at-home to a nearly-four year old, and somewhere along this journey I seem to have lost part of myself and my ability to achieve anything for me. If I’m not the lucky one to win it, I’ll definitely be purchasing the book.
All of these things are so easy to do and so easy to forget. Love the idea of setting an alarm to stop wheels from turning and just be in the moment and reset. I will be reading this book.
Thanks for the chance to win and thanks for your fun blog!
Gosh, I sometimes feel I have a whole bag of frogs needing to be eaten! Reset the day, great terminology. Gives a feeling of peace.
These are great tips. I will be putting them to good use. My golden moment is checking on my son before I get into bed at might. I feel like my heart could burst in that moment. Thanks for sharing. Shannah’s book sounds great with lots of practical and useful tips. Jx
Awesome! Love your blog! Eat frogs!
What a powerful message! Will definately be implementing these strategies!!
Wow, judging by the number of comments, I am not alone in saying, I NEED this book. I am going through a very rough patch in life and finding balance a very difficult thing. I love the tips you gave from your talk with Shannah and would be thrilled to read her book. Thank you for sharing what you learned and for offering the book as a giveaway!
Really loved this insight to your coaching session Chantelle, thanks for sharing and now to put it into practice. xxx
What a lovely blog entry Chantelle! Thanks for sharing your learning with us. This information is good reminder for me right now as im feeling overwhelmed and undecisive about my future.
PERCENT TIMING this post! I am trying to sell one house and renovate another so going INSANE…I so need some advice on managing my life right now. Thanks
Simple advice, yet you need to hear it from someone else sometimes…. Thank you.
I am so not in balance at the moment! And its affecting everything/everyone around me 🙂 Great tips…I think I so need to take on board doing the thing that I put off doing all day long as being my number one goal. Getting it out of the way and then moving onto fun things sounds good to me. And I need sleep…..have such a crazy sleep pattern at the moment!
Wonderful advice, thanks. I’m in the process of moving homes, potentially jobs and overall a big life adjustment all round. This post came at just the right time! Shannah’s book sounds wonderful 🙂
Thanks Chantelle ! Great advice there, and will be really helpful in my own life right now <3
I’m not great at balance in life but I am good at prioritising what is important, like most mums I’d guess. I’d love to win this book. I’m a mum to an 18 month old and without really realising it, have started to run a very small business from home. I need to be a bit more organised and have some better systems in place but am not really sure how to do it (am so not great at doing that kind of thing but great at acknowledging I need to!).
Great advice. I will start tomorrow by cleaning the bathroom and setting a reminder to not eat cake. It may work!
Im going to share this with my mum x thank you
This was inspiring; behaviors I need to be reminded of over and over. I especially appreciated suggestion #6 to use technology to structure my day. This summer we moved across the country and into my sister and brother-in-law’s home. My husband is working a temp job and a part-time job. Rather than allowing myself to become overwhelmed with adjusting to a different lifestyle and not easing my husband’s life for the couple of hours he may be home, I can set my alarm to breathe, refresh, and ask myself what kind of wife do I want to be. That is living with purpose, not just reacting to life around me. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Such awesome advice – especially LOVE the ‘eat the frog first’ suggestion!! Deb x
I really need to eat the frog first…
Balance, breathing, and eating the frog…Sometimes life is just so crazy that it’s easier to just wander off track and at the end of the day, nothing gets done. Putting myself as #1 has to be the hardest part. I am pinning this as a daily reminder to myself that I CAN DO IT and if I fail on one day and fall into the 20%, tomorrow I will just get back on the horse and change that percentage into a positive. Thanks for the inspiration.
Awesome advice, love it 🙂
Love good advice. Especially good, common-sense advice.
Wow! Eat the frog first. So obvious, yet why didn’t I think of that?! I’m a fantastic procrastinator & often let that dreaded thing roll over for days, because at the end of a day, it seems to hard, so I’ll tackle it tomorrow. Thanks!
Oh, this was just what I needed to read on Wednesday. When I woke up on Thursday, I remembered. And I ate the frog. Straight after breakfast I made a phone call with the intent of resolving a frustrating situation that I had been dealing with for over a month. And by lunchtime it was done, sorted – and in my favour. So I was at peace for the rest of the day. Excellent advice that really works! Thankyou Chantelle.
The frog I’m currently trying to avoid eating is weaning my son from his swaddle. That is a HUGE frog. In fact, I think it’s a toad….
Other than going to work and spending time with my 4 yr old twins my frog is the PhD i’m trying to finish. Each day it’s sitting there waiting for m
I think I need to set a reminder to eat the frog each day… Thanks for the tips. Great post
The frog thing resonates with me. I always put off things that are a little bit hard. It’s a skill I need to unlearn.
This is a helpful post, thanks for sharing!
I don’t think I can eat frog and not cake but I am willing to give it a try!the best thing I ever did as a new mum was buy a week to a page diary. I love not letting my week get away from me. I especially value the reminders I put in a week before important interstate birthdays so I remember to put a little parcel in the post. I’d love to know what else Shannah recommends!
I identify with so much of what you write and I love that ‘ eat the frog’ idea!
Well this looks like a cute frog, on the picture ! But usually the one you have to eat is way less tasty, but you have to eat it anyways.
The good news is it will free up your day and give an amazing feeling of accomplishment, this is what I have since I follow Tracy’s work.
But first of all, you have to put in the work and have clear goals, among other rules of “Eat the frog”, the rest will flow then…
As for choosing which “frog” to eat first, our team at Zenkit developed a free online tool to do so. We also wrote an article on productivity and we’d love to have your feedbacks. https://blog.zenkit.com/how-to-eat-that-frog-2c9f0765237a
lol this is SO where i am at right this moment. it’s good to know that i’ve been using some of these strategies most days without knowing them though! if this is international i’d love a chance to read this! if not, thanks for the awesome tips! 🙂
Great advice! Please send the book to Brazil. I will gladly appreciate it! Thank you 🙂
This post is probably some of the best advice I have had in a long time. I am at a point right now where things have changed, and I am trying to get everything on a schedule. The whole point of the change was to make time for me to write, but my everyday life has still revolved around my family. I have yet to write a single thing.
Im at the stage too Ashley where i’m trying to get everything in a schedule…..so far its taken all of this year…but i’m going to keep cracking at it.
My daughter will be driving next year so bring on all the fun stuff for me….eg the gym before going home for the day. Her schedule happened to coincide with mine this year (which is great) but doesn’t allow the me time for me to do what i need to before i had to pick her up from school:)
Good luck with your writing.
Ive decided to get up half an hour earlier each day and do things that i cant do in the day….eg sewing, quilting or a walk with my puppies, paperwork or bill paying for my business, i also write menu plans for people so these get done in the 45 mins or so before my son gets up. After 7am the house gets my attention:)
I hope you can find the time to write. Another thing Shannah said was treat yourself like a business – so I guess you could think of your writing as that. Something that has to get done. It’s sounds easier than it is… but I hope you can find the time. I know how hard it is. Mine is done at 5am or 10pm most of the time.
You have no idea how timely this post is for me! We’ve had weeks of ill-health in our family and feeling like I’m completely out of control. I’m off to read more about Shannah and then start my work day by eating the frog first! 🙂
I hope you’re all feeling better. x
Interesting read 🙂 Yes, I am a bit like you ! If at first you don’t succeed… then throw in the towel :/ I do like the idea of making myself #1 but curious to how that works when you are a carer. Sometimes these life coach things sound great in theory, but living in our day to day lives are not always possible to achieve. That’s my take on it anyway 🙂
Here’s my thoughts: If you don’t take care of you, then what good are you to the person you’re caring for? So it doesn’t mean putting yourself first and neglecting everybody else, it just means ticking some things off in your box – Are you making time for the things you love? Are you eating well? Getting enough sleep? Exercising? Getting a golden moment?
That’s what I think anyway. A lot of the time I just put everyone else first and forget about what I want – and that just makes me grumpy and not very nice to be around. If I make time to go for a walk, have a pedicure and go to bed earlier – then I’m much nicer!
I hope that makes sense. x
Oh absolutely it makes sense 🙂 Definately I eat and sleep well… exercise when the weather is fine… the golden moment hmmm, I’m working on that one 🙂
good luck Narelle:)
Good luck. I take my hat off to you, to do such a wonderful job – is… wonderful. xx
What a fabulous list! The golden moment brought a tear to my eye.
I got teary when Shannah was telling me. Same.
It must be a sign Chantelle. I have just read two articles this morning – both about eating the frog first … coincidence or the universe telling me what I should be doing?
I just saw your tweet and was like, “What?!” Looks like we’ll be having a serve of frogs for breakfast. How’s that timing?
I SO use my cell phone to remind me of things! 🙂 ‘Take that prescription’, ‘Make that phone call’, ‘Flea treatment for dogs!’. I couldn’t manage without it.
I get anxious about the alarms. I don’t know why. Always wake before my alarm so I don’t have to hear it. But little no-sound reminders could work.
I can 100% relate to lack of balance! With being a mum, studying fulltime and working, balance is essential but unfortunately it seems I was born without organisational skills.. There is no balance just chaos..
This post has been swirling around my head for weeks now — thank you for putting it into words!! And I have that golden moment, I guess I just never really thought about it as being present and in the moment. I just do it! xoxo
Care to share what you do in your Golden Moment?
I sweep the hair back from my non-cuddly, going-through-an-independent-phase, strong-willed feisty 8-year old daughter’s face and kiss her still baby-soft cheeks and whisper “I love you more than anything and anyone in the whole entire world”
I’m a single mom, and sometimes this is as much to remind me, if we’ve had a particularly trying evening, as well as give her the “subliminal message”.
I love this. A lot. x
Really neat article..never hurts to be reminded of the things you know but don’t ‘know’! As for eating frogs…I’m a vegetarian so i’m going to stick with cleaning the bathroom first!LOL
Ha!
This is exactly what I needed to read! And I definitely need to eat the frog first, rather than try and face it at 6pm after work!!! Thankyou
I am thrilled that I have learned some of those things all by myself, not all of them, okay one, the “don’t give up, reset” one. I will be looking for that golden moment but your Photo a Day challenge has slowed me down and made me look in my near vicinity for something to snap so I feel like I’m at least halfway there. Can I have my frog breaded and fried?
I agree completely! Thank you so much for the Photo a Day Challenge, it has truly changed my daily routine for the better!
All these things make a huge difference to daily life, and I would love to read the whole book. Pick Me! Eating the frog first is the most liberating thing you can do. It takes a weight off the shoulders which stays off all day! Great post.
Great read! I make a list and do all the things that are easy or nice on it and the hard things get transferred to the next days list….and repeat haha
Wow! So simple! I have already started on a couple of those tips over the past year or so and have found them to be very helpful. The first tip however… I’m definitely going to give that a crack! I’m very good at putting off making phone calls and doing boring household chores. And the tip about reminding herself about what sort of mum she wants to be- BRILLIANT! I really need to do that 🙂
This is wonderful! I can definitely relate to “don’t give up, reset”. I recently wrote about showing Failure who’s boss, and I find it has helped dramatically with my mind set. I LOVE the idea of using my phone to administer reminders and affirmations to help cheer me through my day! BRILLIANT! (www.peptalkpolly.com)
I love this advice and will get this book for my girl who is starting out in the big real world trying to juggle uni and work.Thank you so much as this will be of great help to her.x
I love that: “Eat the frog first”. This is exactly what I need to do. I’m like you and always leave that dreaded task to the last. Today I’m going to get my invoicing done as soon as possible, because it is necessary, but something I hate doing every month. I’m also going to set some reminders in my phone about things I want to remember, like drink water etc. This post was very helpful, Chantelle!
This is wonderful! Just what I needed to read. Thank you so much 🙂
Thankfully it’s not a literal frog, because I have a phobia!
No. 7 resonates with me – each day is a new page in your book.
Tasha
Brilliant post. I could practically hear the light bulb ping on above my head reading this, “eat the frog first”. Fantastic!
I totally know what you mean! Love your post! I could really use some more structure in my life, get everything in order and help me organize the stuff that only creates more confusion and a messy mind!! So i would Love a chance to win that book!!
Oh my. I am so learning the Balance thing this year! I have claimed it as MY word:)
So much so that i am thinking of having it as a tattoo.
I nearly could have written this before post Chantelle. I wrote one on my blog the other day about needing to set goals and try to fit *it* all in.
Ive changed to part time work due to depression and anxiety and am slowly working in the exercise (which is important to me) family commitments, home and we run a fruit property of 17 acres so there is always picking fruit, pruning trees, bookwork, bill paying ect happening there:) My family seems to think because i work less and *am home* that i should be able to do it all “because im home more”
Thankyou so much and how lucky for you to chat to a life coach…i think that is what i need, someone impartial to help me see things a little clearer and to focus a little better.
FMS, I have been following your blog and PHOTOADAY for months, but have NEVER left a comment, for reasons I’m not entirely sure about! BUT… Reading this today, I am inspired.. I am a defence wife with 2 young children & I would love to get to the end of the day & feel achievement and pride from having a good day, instead of just thinking “aarrrggghhh”.. I have taken a screen shot of this list and will be starting today!! So thank you for being such a positive little addition to my life! X
I think I need this book. There is definitely a frog to be eaten every day at work for me and it never tastes good when there is only half an hour to go at the end of the day!
I have been on vacation nearly 3 weeks, without my husband for the first time, and spending time with my son, his wife, and 4 children. It has been very nice being pampered and experiencing new things, new situations, making my decisions without my husband’s input. I have taken many deep breaths to get through some of these unfamiliar situations, like flying alone. I go home tomorrow.
All you have said above, has hit home with me. And for the first time in a long time, I realize, I am putting myself first. Doing what I want to do, like buying the purse and hat I loved. Making moments golden by connecting personally with each member of the family here in a personal way: responding to a teasing from the 8 year old who was so hard to connect with; watching a video with the 12 year old, while he explained,even though I still have no idea what “MINECRAFT” is; being touched by a nearly 14 year old, as she tells me about her love for ice skating and unicorns; feeling the confusion of a 19 year old who has no idea what he wants to do with his life; and experiencing the love of two parents for their children and each other as they parent, discipline, and nurture their children and pamper Grandma. And when I go home, the frog will still be there, waiting to be eaten. Because sometimes, there are things more important than the frog.
beautiful…….xxxx and so bittersweetxx
OH I need some structure, I am seriously all over the place, I don’t even eat at the right time, must do something about that! I too love the Eat the Frog first idea…as long as it isn’t the chocolate variety for breakfast, lol. I am off to have a look at the link, kiss noises Linda
I’ve been on a myself mission this year, this would be something great to add to my journey.
Wow, you blog just hit it right on the nail! I must get this book and maybe a life coach. Having anxiety attacks lately because I’m in California and my son will be leaving to New York for college in 3 days, so eating the frog or trying to even think that I am number 1 was just what I needed to hear! Thanks!! <3
So I started off well, yup, I tend to do number 1. But then I came unstuck at number 2. So the answer to your question “Do you have balance in your life?”, would have to be no. Somewhere after having my second child I have forgotten all about me. Or maybe it happened after my first?
http://iliska-dreams.blogspot.com.au/
Dont forget to breathe is the biggest one for me. So often at the end of the day I can feel the tenseness in my muscles – taking the time for some proper deep cleaning breaths will do me the world of good
These are gold! I totally need this book. I’m a mum of one plus one on the way, finishing my phd, working fulltime, house to run and chaos ruling every where
This post is going straight to the pool room… Or at least to the fridge, so I can follow it daily! Thanks for another perfectly timed post 🙂
This is awesome!!! Just what I needed to read right now!!! I am going to incorporate each of these things into my day! Love it!!
I’m the worst at thinking of myself. I never have “me” time… I love the advice of “eating the frog first”. hilarious way to think about it and so true!
Balance is elusive for most mothers unfortunately 🙁 I like the idea of using the phone to reset frame of mind
I love this post! Hit the nail on the head! So many things i need to do for myself as a mom and a teacher… Thank you for the reminder. I will definitely be sharing this with my children!
As a full time wporking mother of 3 boys I sometimes feel like I am losing the plot. I would love to see what I could gain from this book to help keep me on track!
Wow isn’t it funny how something like this post pops up right when you need it! Thank you for sharing your experience (lucky you) and this easy to follow (so easy it seems like I should already know & be doing it) and vital information. Am off to eat my frog, set some alarms and then enjoy some golden moments 🙂 thanks again
I love this one! Eat the frog, just have to put it into practise now 🙂
This is fabulous! Thanks so much for the great read, I love Shannah’s golden moment! Brilliant!
2 & 7 are definitely one’s I need to work on. As far as priorities go, I’m wayyyyy down the list, and when I make a mistake, I know I am wayyy too hard on myself, lose hope, and throw things out the window. I know that you need to love yourself and be kind to yourself so you can love others, but it’s funny how intellectually we know something but trying to put that into action is the difficult part… Great post! Will start setting alarms to remind me to drink water and reset my thinking! Love it! xx
http://happymummyinspired.blogspot.com.au
Thanks for a great post just when I need it. I will be putting point 1 in place right now. Eat the frog first, I tend to leave the crap jobs til last and do the same as you, stew over them all day.
I would love to have a copy of her book, it sounds like she has some really practical ways of surviving. I am attempting to balance full-time PhD study with part-time university teaching, instrumental music teaching, volunteer work and trying to be the best wife I can be to my newly wedded love. I need all the help I can get at the moment! Eat the frog first is an excellent idea! Thanks! lisa xx
Loved the simple phone reminders… ‘you don’t need that muffin’ I should set things like that for me 🙂
I am reading your post now rather than eating the frog ie putting together a job application. Great advice! Now back to the essential criteria! Thx
You forget that these simple (yet difficult to do) things make such a big difference! sometimes it’s all about stepping back and putting it into perspective.. thank you, I’m going to send your post to my husband!
What great advice! I love the setting an alarm asking “What kind of mum do I want to be?”. I really need to do this before I pick up my kids. Time to eat the frog and finish some work :/
Slowly trying to apply all of these to my life… Working on number 3 ! Thanks 🙂
I am new to your blog. And I am very glad I stumbled upon it! I think my favorite piece of advice is also Eating the Frog First. I will often save that one (sometimes two) thing that I really don’t want to do, but it has to get done until last. And then I am too “tired” to get it done and gets pushed off to the next day. I would be so much more productive if I accepted this one litte piece of advice. Thanks for sharing!
Eat the frog first. Excellent advice!!
I have been putting #3 into practise lately and it really does put everything into perspective.
The best timed advice I’ve ever read I think. Thank you!!
Thank you thank you thank you! I really needed to read this post TODAY! I feel as if I am drowning in my life at the moment, everything is completely out of whack. Need to do all those 7 steps and then some :o)
Thanks for sharing, I needed it!
This is great advice. I love reading your blog. Your fan from Japan 🙂
Great advice! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Gosh I would love a session with a life coach – really need to refocus! This book might be the first step!
I could definitely use a life coach! :}
I’ve been ‘eating the frog first’ for a while – every morning I make a list of “Must do’s” and “Nice to haves”. I make sure I kill off the Must Do’s before I tackle the Nice to Haves.
I’ve been lusting after a personalised planner for a few weeks now, maybe this is the incentive I need to jump in and buy it!
Being present with our children is such potent advice. As a single working mother I often find it hard just to find the time to be present. I think time management is definitely an area I need to work on! Life is much simpler when we can find some mental clarity. I’m sure a whole lot more enjoyable too! Great tips, thanks for posting 🙂
This is great advice (& very timely!) – thanks for sharing Chantelle.
Great post!! It’s 9am and i’m still at home in my pjs & robe… I’m gonna rush to the studio and eat all the frogs I can find!! Thank you <3
I too have seen Shannah & totally recommend her!!!!
What fabulous feedback to all. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and it is exactly why I wrote the book. businesses need structure to thrive and so do we. We, if we want to be rich in life, need to be aware of how important being in the moment is, how important it is that we can eat the frog and feel achievement both big and small. The book is all about how to structure yourself to live optimally, no matter who you are. I have 2 little children, a marriage, keep fit, run the business and dont feel stressed….it can be done!! The book is available on line and is your workbook for life. Thank you to Fat Mum Slim and all her followers…SHANNAH KENNEDY
I love this post, I too have no balance in my life, most of the time I go to bed feeling so unsatisfied with myself, as I didn’t achieve what I wanted to do! By following your rules I think I may go to bed feeling a lot happier about my day. It is so hard sometimes being a stay at home mum to two little ones. This is going to help immensely!! Thank you Chantelle xx
What a fab post Chantelle! I am on a constant run ‘chasing my tail’, and it was my New Year’s Resolution to change all that – which I failed miserably in early January! Shannah’s book looks great!
Great message here. It is one I try to live by. My “Eat the Frog First” translates to “Do the worst first” be it cleaning or exercising. Me time is important. It took me a long time to accept this as not being selfish. Who wants a mum, wife, partner, colleague or friend who is continually tired and down in the dumps!
Thank you so much for posting this. I will be passing this link onto a few friends.
Terri x
Breathe…..and get my life in order. Yes please!
sounds like a awesome book..I have just sent my 4th child off to school and am suddenly home alone after 12 years – I would love some tips pls x
Thank you for sharing this timely advice – as today my 4 sons have started back in their new school year and now it is time for me to work on ME! I have some goals I want to reach but I am procrastinating in a little fear and caution. I need to jump into the work involved to accomplish these goals and every little bit helps – so thanks!
This sounds fantastic! thanks for sharing those few tips. Very interesting & worth pondering for a while.
Sounds like an amazing book! I am preparing myself to return to work full time next year when my youngest starts school. I would love some advice on how to manage what wil become an extremely busy life!
I just learned “eat the frog first” today, and here it is again! Perhaps it is a message just for me? 🙂 I love the idea of setting an alarm with “What type of mum do I want to be?” just before collecting the kids, what a great reminder! I have reorganised my life to allow balance. It means that I’m not rising on the career ladder quite as quickly as I was before, but I’m so much happier, and so are my kids. I am a big believer in looking after yourself first. This doesn’t mean my kids or hubby miss out, it just means that I plan to rejuvenate myself so that I can give them more.
Should I admit that I clicked through from Twitter after reading ‘And I just ate my frog’ hoping to read all about actually eating freddo frogs? Well it is true, that is why I dropped by but I am glad I did. I need to eat more frogs (that aren’t all chocolatey goodness) and actually get things done. Of course I say this as I skim twitter and read blogs, actively avoiding my current frog – a paper due for uni on Friday. Oh well, off to try and eat some frog of my own.
Sounds like I need to read this book and coincide it with another book called ‘S.U.M.O (Shut Up Move On) – Brilliant book, very helpful & useful – Both together could be what I need… Eat the frog first – My new Motto I think 🙂 Thanks!!
Love it!! Off to buy myself a diary right now!
I own lots of books about getting my act together but seem to never execute, I even own the book “eat that frog”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W7GB5Fh2XM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Perhaps I have never realised that the Frog in front of me was to start down the path
I definitely need to eat more frogs!
#1 is such a brilliant idea! It’s so easy, too. #7 is great, too. However bad your day may be, you can always start over the next day. Great tips!
– Jessica H.
http://www.formerundomesticgoddess.blogspot.com/
With baby number 2 on the way, I think this ok will be a god send to help me unstruggle with the juggle!
Love this post! So inpirational and puts things into perspective really. I love #6. I read this post earlier on today and have thought about the comment all day – “gives her kids the mum that she wants to be.” It’s really stuck with me and I love it, am going to put it into action for my children and I. Thanks so much for sharing.
Eat the frog, breathe, sometimes sometimes is good enough … Sounds so simple
Exactly. Sounds simple, but takes real effort to put into practice st the start of the day! Here’s to planning!
Finally I can comment! (Discus wasn’t playing nice today!) I love this post. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately and been trying to look for inspiration or positivity in everything this week. In fact your post ties up nicely with my post today so I’ve mentioned you at
http://sexymomgp.blogspot.com/2012/09/5-bright-fmsphotoaday-and-some-rambling.html and my frog – its cleaning!
This post came at the exact right time! Thanks for sharing, I feel so much better now.
This book sounds like just what I need. I’m a stay-at-home to a nearly-four year old, and somewhere along this journey I seem to have lost part of myself and my ability to achieve anything for me. If I’m not the lucky one to win it, I’ll definitely be purchasing the book.
All of these things are so easy to do and so easy to forget. Love the idea of setting an alarm to stop wheels from turning and just be in the moment and reset. I will be reading this book.
Thanks for the chance to win and thanks for your fun blog!
Gosh, I sometimes feel I have a whole bag of frogs needing to be eaten! Reset the day, great terminology. Gives a feeling of peace.
These are great tips. I will be putting them to good use. My golden moment is checking on my son before I get into bed at might. I feel like my heart could burst in that moment. Thanks for sharing. Shannah’s book sounds great with lots of practical and useful tips. Jx
Awesome! Love your blog! Eat frogs!
What a powerful message! Will definately be implementing these strategies!!
Wow, judging by the number of comments, I am not alone in saying, I NEED this book. I am going through a very rough patch in life and finding balance a very difficult thing. I love the tips you gave from your talk with Shannah and would be thrilled to read her book. Thank you for sharing what you learned and for offering the book as a giveaway!
Really loved this insight to your coaching session Chantelle, thanks for sharing and now to put it into practice. xxx
What a lovely blog entry Chantelle! Thanks for sharing your learning with us. This information is good reminder for me right now as im feeling overwhelmed and undecisive about my future.
PERCENT TIMING this post! I am trying to sell one house and renovate another so going INSANE…I so need some advice on managing my life right now. Thanks
Simple advice, yet you need to hear it from someone else sometimes…. Thank you.
I am so not in balance at the moment! And its affecting everything/everyone around me 🙂 Great tips…I think I so need to take on board doing the thing that I put off doing all day long as being my number one goal. Getting it out of the way and then moving onto fun things sounds good to me. And I need sleep…..have such a crazy sleep pattern at the moment!
Wonderful advice, thanks. I’m in the process of moving homes, potentially jobs and overall a big life adjustment all round. This post came at just the right time! Shannah’s book sounds wonderful 🙂
Thanks Chantelle ! Great advice there, and will be really helpful in my own life right now <3
I’m not great at balance in life but I am good at prioritising what is important, like most mums I’d guess. I’d love to win this book. I’m a mum to an 18 month old and without really realising it, have started to run a very small business from home. I need to be a bit more organised and have some better systems in place but am not really sure how to do it (am so not great at doing that kind of thing but great at acknowledging I need to!).
Great advice. I will start tomorrow by cleaning the bathroom and setting a reminder to not eat cake. It may work!
Im going to share this with my mum x thank you
This was inspiring; behaviors I need to be reminded of over and over. I especially appreciated suggestion #6 to use technology to structure my day. This summer we moved across the country and into my sister and brother-in-law’s home. My husband is working a temp job and a part-time job. Rather than allowing myself to become overwhelmed with adjusting to a different lifestyle and not easing my husband’s life for the couple of hours he may be home, I can set my alarm to breathe, refresh, and ask myself what kind of wife do I want to be. That is living with purpose, not just reacting to life around me. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Such awesome advice – especially LOVE the ‘eat the frog first’ suggestion!! Deb x
I really need to eat the frog first…
Balance, breathing, and eating the frog…Sometimes life is just so crazy that it’s easier to just wander off track and at the end of the day, nothing gets done. Putting myself as #1 has to be the hardest part. I am pinning this as a daily reminder to myself that I CAN DO IT and if I fail on one day and fall into the 20%, tomorrow I will just get back on the horse and change that percentage into a positive. Thanks for the inspiration.
Awesome advice, love it 🙂
Love good advice. Especially good, common-sense advice.
Wow! Eat the frog first. So obvious, yet why didn’t I think of that?! I’m a fantastic procrastinator & often let that dreaded thing roll over for days, because at the end of a day, it seems to hard, so I’ll tackle it tomorrow. Thanks!
Oh, this was just what I needed to read on Wednesday. When I woke up on Thursday, I remembered. And I ate the frog. Straight after breakfast I made a phone call with the intent of resolving a frustrating situation that I had been dealing with for over a month. And by lunchtime it was done, sorted – and in my favour. So I was at peace for the rest of the day. Excellent advice that really works! Thankyou Chantelle.
The frog I’m currently trying to avoid eating is weaning my son from his swaddle. That is a HUGE frog. In fact, I think it’s a toad….
Other than going to work and spending time with my 4 yr old twins my frog is the PhD i’m trying to finish. Each day it’s sitting there waiting for m
I think I need to set a reminder to eat the frog each day… Thanks for the tips. Great post
The frog thing resonates with me. I always put off things that are a little bit hard. It’s a skill I need to unlearn.
This is a helpful post, thanks for sharing!
I don’t think I can eat frog and not cake but I am willing to give it a try!the best thing I ever did as a new mum was buy a week to a page diary. I love not letting my week get away from me. I especially value the reminders I put in a week before important interstate birthdays so I remember to put a little parcel in the post. I’d love to know what else Shannah recommends!
I identify with so much of what you write and I love that ‘ eat the frog’ idea!
Well this looks like a cute frog, on the picture ! But usually the one you have to eat is way less tasty, but you have to eat it anyways.
The good news is it will free up your day and give an amazing feeling of accomplishment, this is what I have since I follow Tracy’s work.
But first of all, you have to put in the work and have clear goals, among other rules of “Eat the frog”, the rest will flow then…
As for choosing which “frog” to eat first, our team at Zenkit developed a free online tool to do so. We also wrote an article on productivity and we’d love to have your feedbacks.
https://blog.zenkit.com/how-to-eat-that-frog-2c9f0765237a